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144 Comments
- funkedup, on 10/27/2009, -1/+106This is ridiculous. Just when the Fed's start showing some leniency, the local government cracks down.
- bixby1, on 10/27/2009, -1/+82I live in Venice Beach which is pretty much ground zero for this thing. I know a couple shop owners and they already live under a heavy cloud of unknowing. They're good people and they don't deserve to fall victim to some half-baked 'ordinance' if you'll pardon the pun.
- FOR3MAN, on 10/27/2009, -2/+72At least the streets will be safe again.
Wait a second No they won't. They'll be crazy dangerous with gun toting drug dealers to take their place.
They are going to Ba-ba-blow-it. - bunghole59, on 10/27/2009, -1/+63"L.A. District Attorney Steve Cooley" - is this an elected position? If so, people of Los Angeles take a long look at his record before the next election. Please and thank you.
- ygeoff419, on 10/27/2009, -1/+62Wait... why is California broke?
- milwaukeesbeast, on 10/27/2009, -2/+41Dont worry, the gangs will make the $70mil+ in sales. Everybody wins!
- goxkok, on 10/27/2009, -3/+41It shouldn't be feasible for any level of government to pass any ordinance banning pot when a whopping 77% of constituents believe the plant should be legalized.
There must be some fundamental disconnect between the elected officials passing these ordinances and the population. Its only a matter of time until the lawmakers will be drowned out by the overwhelming scientific and popular support pot will accrue over the coming years. - ScottyAnimal, on 10/27/2009, -2/+34Yes because I see so much violence at the dispensaries I go to. And then I go home smoke a bowl and immediately go out and rob the elderly so I can afford my next joint.
Oh wait...I actually see no violence at the places I go to and then I come home smoke a bowl and play Skate 2 for 2 hours before walking my dog, saying hi to neighbors as I pass them, come home go to sleep and wake up for work the next day.
I pay my taxes and obey the law. Let me get my medicine so I can go to sleep at night and wake up feeling refreshed.
Kthnx bye. - stoned420247, on 10/27/2009, -2/+28This is major!
Two things that make me go "WTF".
1.) The very same week Cooley announce an all out war on these dispensaries. Was the same week that was reported that all these legal medical marijuana dispensaries are hurting the drug cartels profits.
2.) The unwillingness to understand compassion. Some people say, "Well, there is more dispensaries than McDonalds and Starbucks combined!"
It's because there has always been a market for marijuana. It's a very versatile plant. People can use it from vitamins, cooking, clothes and medicine. It's a multi-billion dollar industry that goes untaxed. And I can also tell you, that the caffeine in Starbucks has killed more people than the thousands of years of marijuana use(zero). Now that the laws in California allow part of it's use to be taxed, millions of tax dollars get flushed into the State.
Cooley is a major example as to why California is in such bad shape. His view, is the wrong view. He goes against the will of the public, and thats very bad policy for them. - Super6, on 10/27/2009, -0/+25Because their expenses are greater than their income
- kopiwrite, on 10/27/2009, -3/+26The state is broke because of poor financial responsibility. For example, BART subway drivers in the Bay Area earn $100k+ with benefits FOR LIFE AND get outrageous retirement packages.
- Rivetgeek, on 10/27/2009, -2/+24its not illegal you ***** tard. medical marijuana is legal in california.
- AiR1890, on 10/27/2009, -2/+23Yes, crippling hundreds of businesses in a state that is nearly bankrupt is a very smart move.
- Chomprel, on 10/27/2009, -1/+20Why should it be tax free?
- billraydrums, on 10/27/2009, -1/+18Go ahead, shut them down. It's not like the green trade is going to diminish. That DA is a ***** idiot. All that means is that college kids once again are going to be making bank, and the city won't get anything. Oh yeah, they'll get the fines they levy towards the street dealers, but that will be in the hundreds of thousands....if they can even get that at all. The laws are so lax now and lawyers are skillful in getting people off for such minor offenses.
Steve Cooley, you are a complete and utter fool. - mgnesium, on 10/27/2009, -0/+16That, and a large portion of its populations do not pay (enough) taxes. There is a huge illegal immigrant population that doesn't pay into the system, and numerous rich companies / individuals (read: celebrities) that don't pay their fair share.
- Rouglead, on 10/27/2009, -0/+15Oh yes they will! If you sell after that law is passed the cops will come in and shut them down as soon as its passed probubly.
This is just stupid, why does the government hate marijuana so much? I dont smoke it but i completely support it being legal even if just to the medical community. It helps thousands of people every year instead of taking drugs that make you even more sick. Marijuana helps people with pain why is this bad? - 11oops, on 10/27/2009, -0/+15Let's see... some of the most liberal states are also ranked highest in education while some of the most conservative states are ranked lowest. See the connection?
Let's see... Some of the most liberal states pay the most into the federal government while taking the least out, while some of the most conservative states pay the least in while taking the most out. See the connection?
Let's see... Some of the most moronic people such as therightside are idiot conservative trolls. See the connection? - jaykoo21, on 10/27/2009, -0/+13So basically they want a democrat's approach to spending and programs with a republican's approach to not generating revenue, particularly taxing. I dunno, it really sounds like that would work in perfect harmony
- djm19, on 10/27/2009, -0/+131) It should be noted that such a ban is unlikely and that a court has already reprimanded LA for such a tactic because it violates california law.
2) The new DA in LA is such a dick. The entire city council had a field day bashing on the guy a few days ago...they hate his guts. Hes just a guy who takes up stupid issues and becomes the warrior for it. He has a habit of taking up issues regardless of where the law actually stands on the issue. I see his term as ending at first opportunity.
3) As a side note, pot is big business in LA. This is Los ganjales, after all. The council does not want to lose this money, dispensaries are under NO THREAT of disapearing. In fact more likely is the legalization of pot, which will strengthen their hand or perhaps bring about some sort of new business type. - Pschkqitzsough, on 10/27/2009, -0/+12I for one would pay the tax, especially considering it would still be much cheaper than buying it on the black market. Illegal trades have huge premiums built in for the danger of getting caught factor.
Marijuana dispensaries are required to sell their product at or near street value just so they are not resold on the black market. If it was legal they price could be cut by more than half and still make a killing. Marijuana costs very little to grow. Although people think everyone will grow it, it takes a LOT of time and effort to do and most would rather just go to the corner store and buy a product rather than make it or grow it themselves. - aron1185, on 10/27/2009, -1/+13Loss of productivity?
Ha. Not everyone sits on their couch, eating potato chips, while staring at the ceiling and listening to grateful dead.
The biggest loss of productivity (in the workplace) is this thing we are using now. I introduce to you: The Internet. - funkedup, on 10/27/2009, -3/+14The problem is that people in California (and the rest of the US for that matter) want things that they can't afford, can't pay for, and are unwilling to pay for. California's population makes it a country in itself, and it's no wonder that they are broke. In order for all of the liabilities, services, and programs to be funded, a significant increase in taxes is required to sustain this. Contrary to popular belief, many Californians don't want all these programs and spending, and are unwilling to support it. You also have a governor trying to govern a large state with diverse political opinions from the center. You can't cater to everyone, and if you try to do this, the system will break down. Since California dealt with its budget woes by postponing the inevitable to a later date, they are on track to become America's first failed and bankrupt state.
- laffatinterweb, on 10/27/2009, -0/+11More info on Steve Cooley
"These two challengers running against Cooley in the June 2008 election, point out that the current DA has refused to prosecute the rich and powerful while successfully lobbying for a $55,000 pay raise bringing his salary to $292,300, making him one of the highest-paid government officials anywhere." - FullDisclosure
http://www.fulldisclosure.net/Programs/515.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Cooley - macmcraeart, on 10/27/2009, -2/+13could anybody explain why the largest city in a state that has a bigger economy than most countries in the world is broke?
- newman8r, on 10/27/2009, -1/+11his job isn't to uphold federal regulations... this is basically a slap in the face of his constituency which has voted multiple times for medical marijuana
- Goathead2008, on 10/27/2009, -0/+10The worse part to me is the provision that bans brownies and other edibles, they think they can ban a substance in one form yet approve it in another (smoking, which is possibly more harmful to the body)? Even if that happens, it won't stop people from making brownies from the weed. I just don't understand the purpose of that provision.
- Roboctopus, on 10/27/2009, -0/+10Man, it seems like there's a fundamental disconnect between ALL of our elected officials and the population.
- Hateweaver, on 10/27/2009, -0/+9Taxing it is by far the biggest benefit of legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. To strip the taxation away from legalization would be detrimental. Contrary to popular belief, taxation is good (but only when that tax money isn't spend on ***** wars or bridges to no-where)
- therightside, on 10/27/2009, -1/+10its the people in government promising more things to more people in exchange for votes.
- Pugmonkeys, on 10/27/2009, -1/+10Think of the money they'd have to spend enforcing the law as well. The amount of man hours spent on arresting formerly legal pot smokers. That actually costs the city money as well.
- MWeather, on 10/27/2009, -0/+8Actually, most of their budget is voter mandated. That's why the Governator is putting his budget proposals in voter initiatives. It's the only way to lower the budget. So really, it's not up to him, it's up to the voters.
California: Direct Democracy in action! - Amadeus2490, on 10/27/2009, -2/+10Because the people in charge of running it don't know their ass from a hole in the ground.
- KarmaPoIice, on 10/27/2009, -0/+8Everyone please email this incredibly stupid man and let him know this will not stand.
webmail@da.lacounty.gov
These ***** need to be reminded that they are servants of the people! - NotAChickenHawk, on 10/27/2009, -1/+8You're kidding yourself. No serious candidate for Attorney General in this county has ever been pro MJ.
Then again, the electorate really isn't either so it all fits. - judicar, on 10/27/2009, -3/+10Well, apparently because they're all smoking pot. *rimshot*
- Ajajadude, on 10/27/2009, -0/+6The voters vote on more ***** I've ever seen here. They vote for these programs and such but don't give a second thought to how it's all going to be paid for. When they're expected to foot the bill with more taxes, they freak out. So, the government starts cutting programs back, or altogether, and people freak out about that and try and stop the cuts.
- Juntistik, on 10/27/2009, -0/+6There's alot of money involved in the prohibition for marijuana. Gov agencies (DEA), Jails, Pharm companies all take advantage of the prohibition and they are protecting their income.
- macmcraeart, on 10/27/2009, -0/+6(face palm)
- billraydrums, on 10/27/2009, -0/+6People are running around high anyways, and getting stuff done to boot.
- newman8r, on 10/27/2009, -2/+8I think you missed the point of the article completely
- NotAChickenHawk, on 10/27/2009, -0/+5Partially correct - I agree rich aren't paying their fare share, and the illegals aren't either. But CA has one of the highest tax rates of any state in the country. The bigger problem is that State Government spending is just way, way out of control - and that is for a variety of reasons, not the least of which, IMHO, is the constant bond measures the voters keep approving - issuing bonds helps build things etc. but then the state must pay interest on the bonds, which no one ever seems to think about.
- BlueStreak69, on 10/27/2009, -0/+5What can we do as citizens of California? I would really like to know my options. Is this something we have control over?
- caramba421, on 10/27/2009, -0/+5"The proposal is to ban FOR-PROFIT dispensaries who are making money off the cultivation and sale of marijuana to people who DO NOT HAVE A VALID MEDICAL REASON for obtaining it."
What constitutes a valid reason is between a doctor and patient. You can take your stupid ***** opinions with you back to Rhode Island. Stay the ***** out of my business. - catxors, on 10/27/2009, -0/+5Same reason pro athletes and major investment banks go broke: total focus on short-term goodies.
- costumemaker, on 10/27/2009, -0/+5... it will eventually trickle down to dentists that electroplate teeth in gold and stores that sell spinning rims, so it's all good.
- BiscoSkier, on 10/27/2009, -0/+5So by your logic....
The 13 states with the lowest median household income are doing the best in the Union right? Not using up precious federal money to offset their lack of education, transportation, agriculture, healthcare, research, science.... anything basically progressive that will allow for further development of its peoples.
38 South Dakota $46,032
39 North Dakota $45,685
40 South Carolina $44,625
41 Louisiana $43,733
42 Montana $43,654
43 Tennessee $43,614
44 New Mexico $43,508
45 Oklahoma $42,822
46 Alabama $42,666
47 Kentucky $41,538
48 Arkansas $38,815
49 West Virginia $37,989
50 Mississippi $37,790
California is #9 at $61,021
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_of_the_United_ ...
But hey, if Rush says to do something, you better damn do it or else the terrorists win! - newman8r, on 10/27/2009, -0/+4I think you might just be talking about yourself... most voters support MMJ in California and that's why the voters have multiple times voted to make it accessible.
Productivity would potentially go down if this was passed, cause people who are going to smoke anyway will need to seek out illicit suppliers, which just goes to support cartels; law enforcement will have to divert energy to catching dealers who actually pose very little threat compared to the hard crime in LA. - TheNik, on 10/27/2009, -0/+4And all LA needs is MORE violent crime. Whoever even thinks this ban would be a good idea is completely stupid.
- Ajajadude, on 10/27/2009, -0/+4This is the one issue people say won't be an issue ("I'll pay a tax on it!") that will be an issue once it's legalized. I don't know how, I don't know when, but I can't see all marijuana users being in favor of the tax once it's legalized and they come down from the proverbial high (no pun intended) they gained from victory.
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